Outside brush mechanism for bottle washers



Nov. 7, 1933. R. J. wYNNE f T-AL OUTSIDE BRUSH MECHANISM FOR BOTTLE WASHERS c Filed Aug. 19, 1931 Z2- LL obeffgnve. PauZ J5( 776e er? Patented Nov. 7, 1933 TENT 1,934,249 Y OUTSIDE BRUSH MECHANISM FORBOTTLE WAS Robert J. Wynne and Paul Ill.,

HERS Y H. Meyer, Bellwood,

assignors to Solar-Sturges Mfg. C0.,

Melrose Park, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application August 19,

8 Claims.

The present invention relates to outside brush mechanism for bottle washers and particularly to a novel brush construction and method of mounting the brushes for externally washing bottles.

An object of the present invention is to provide mechanism for washing the outsides of bottles with bristle brushes wherein the necessity of rotating the bottles While being cleansed, is eliminated.

Another object of the invention is to provide a plurality of brush units for assembly into brush mechanism for washing the exteriors of bottles which units may be readily assembled in operative position and readily disassembled for replacement of a Worn or damaged unit.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a brush unit having bristle receiving aperturesnormal to a surface thereof for receiving bristles and having bores communicating with the apertures wherebyrthe bristles in any aperture may be dislodged therefrom by means applied through the Ybore communicating with an aperture.

A further object of the invention is to provide outside brushes for Washing bottles which brushes have cores with surfaces which are arcuately concave and in which surfaces bristles are arranged extending substantially radially to such surfaces whereby the bristles maybe substantially of the same length, thus prolonging the usefulness of such brushes.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a plurality of brush units for assembly into a brush mechanism for Washinga plurality of bottles at a time which brush units have surfaces which are arcuately concave and from which surfaces extend bristles in substantially radial direction to such surfaces and with ceitain of the brush units provided with bristles for cooperating with the bristles of an adjacent unit Y to comlete the complement of bristles for such adjacent unit.

Another and still further object of the invention is to provide a simple outside bottle Washing mechanism wherein a plurality of bottles may be washed at a time and wherein the units are so associated and assembled as to completely Wash the exteriors of bottles quickly and expeditiously. j

A yet further object of the invention is to provide brushes for washing the exteriors of bottles which brushes are grouped in pairs onv parallel shafts with the brushes of one pair dening therebetween a substantially circular space for re- 1931. Serial No. 557,972

(ci. ifs-179) OFFICE the exterior diameter of Generally speaking, the invention contemplates the bottles.

the construction of brush units having surfaces which are arcuately concave with bristles arranged in groups and extending from the concave surfaces of the units in substantially radial direction, thus causing toward aicommon point the bristles to converge which is in a plane midway between the ends of the brush units. The bristles being of the same length therefore define a substantially semi-circular space so that the brushes in a pair `between them denne a substantially circular space for receiving a bottle. The bristles being of the same length and directed Yradially from the brush surfaces more effectively Wash the bottle exteriors.

The invention contemplates further intertting engagement of the several brush. units Vwhich are assembled along a shaft whereby a plurality of bottles may be washed at a time. v

The invention further contemplates a brush mechanism wherein parallel shafts carry a plurality of brush units with a brush on oneshaft co-operating with its counter-part on the other shaft to therebetween define a substantially circular space forreceiving a bottle, the grouped or co-operating brushes having radiallyextending bristles directedto common points whichwlie in planes mid-way between the ends of. these brushes whereby the bottle is subjected to end pressure of the bristles.

The above, other and further objectslof the invention will be apparent from the. following description, accompanying-drawing and appended claims.

The drawing is an axial sectional `View of a brush mechanism and showing brushes embodyfr ing the principles of this invention. v

vThe drawing will now The schematic illustration of nism includes parallel maybe suitably supported inv be explained. g

a brush mechaf shafts,` l 'and 2 which a standard of any convenient design. Each shaft has a polygonal portion'B with the end portionscylindrical. The

ends of each cylindricalA shape.

portion 4 is of polygonal The shaft 1 between the central polygonal portion 3 and the'cylindrical portion at one `en'd i `has a threaded part 5 While the shaft 2`has rha similar threaded part 6.

threaded parts 5 and 6 The diameters of the are, slightly in excessv of aoA the diameters of the adjacent cylindrical portions and less than the maximum dimension of the central polygonal portion 3.

On each of the shafts 1 and 2 is assembled a plurality of brush units A, B, C and D, there being four such units illustrated, but of course it is understood that more or less may be utilized if desired.

All of the brush units have surfaces E which are arcuately concave, and in these surfaces there are provided a plurality of outwardly opening radially disposed sockets 6 arranged in series for the reception of bristles which are arranged in groups and inserted in these sockets. A group 7 of bristles is made of bristles of the same length so that the lengths of all of the groups may be the same. The bristles are doubled back midway between the ends of the same with the doubled portions inserted in the sockets 6 and there wedged or fastened in any suitable manner.

Every one of the sockets 6 has a bore 8 opening to the interior of the brush unit core so that a tool may be therein inserted for dislodging a group of bristles should replacement be necessary.

The brush units A are herein referred to as the endmost brushes or units. Each of the units A has end peripheral portions 9 and 10 of substantially equal diameter. Inner annular shoulders 11 are formed in the peripheral portions of the unit A inwardly thereof for a purpose to be later explained. A web 12 connects the interior of the surfaces of the units and is provided with an aperture 13 of the same size and configuration as the polygonal portion 3 of the shaft so that the brush unit may be applied to the polygonal portion of such shaft.

The units B, C and D are of substantially the same construction except for a detail to be later explained.

The units B, C and D have peripheral portions 14 at similar ends and peripheral portions 15 at the opposite ends. The diameters of the portions 15 being less than the diameters 14. The arcuately concave surfaces ofthe units B, C and D are provided with the sockets 6 for receiving the bristles 7 which are therein installed in the manf ner herein described and asillustrated with re-- spect to the unit A. i'

The units B, C and D adjacent the periphery of larger diameter is, each provided with an undercut inner annular shoulder 16.

The units B, C and D have similar central webs 12 `as the unit A, all of which have central apertures 13 of the same configuration as the polygonal portion 3 of the shafts. The holes orsockets 6 are arranged in rows about the'surfaces of the several units. There are as many sockets on each side of a plane through the middle of the unit A as on the other side. The other units B, C and D have one less row of sockets on the surface; adjacent the periphery of smaller diameter.

The units B and C and any additional intermediate units between the end units is each supplied with a row of sockets formed in the larger peripheral portions 14Athereof to receive rows of bristles 1'7 extending outwardly from such peripheral portion and completing the complement of the bristles of the next succeeding brush unit in the row. The provision of the additional row of bristles 17 completes the same number of rows of bristles for the adjacent unit as there are on the surface thereof adjacent the periphery of larger diameter. In this manner, every brush unit is provided with an equal number of rows of washing bristles.

The smaller peripheries 15 of the intermediate units B and C and the end unit D are arranged to interi-it with the inner shoulders of the endmost unit A and the inner shoulder 16 of the intermediate unit next preceding. The end unit D has its periphery of smaller diameter 15 engaging the shoulder 16 of the preceding unit C.

The endmost units A are provided with a plurality of bristles or a row of bristles 18 extending away from the other bristles 7 therein and towards the washing zone of the bristles of the next adjacent units B. This row of bristles 18 and the endmost units A complete the bristle complevment of the adjacent unit B.

The row of bristles 18 in the endmost units A and the rows of bristles 17 in the intermediate units are all socketed in suitably disposed sockets arranged in the larger peripheral portion of the intermediate units and the peripheral portion 10 of the endmost units A.

A collar 19 is applied over the cylindrical portion 20 of a shaft adjacent one end of the polygonal central portion 3 and is fastened to the shaft by a pin 21 or similar attaching means. A gear 22 is applied to the polygonal end portion 4 adjacent the collar 19 and suitably secured thereto against displacement.

The several units are assembled on a shaft in the follo-wing manner.

At the other end of the shaft 1 a sprocket wheel 23 is removably applied to the polygonal end portion 4.Y This is removed and the hand nut 24 which engages the threaded portion 5 of the shaft 1 is removed whereupon a unit D is applied to the shaft 1 and over the central polygonal portion 3 until its web 12 engages the collar 19. The next unit B is then applied to the shaft and moved against the unit D in abutting relation so that the smaller periphery 15 of the unit D engages the shoulder 16 in the larger periphery of the unit C. The next inter mediate unit such, for instance, as the unit B is .then applied over the shaft with its collar moved into abutting relation with the smaller periphery 15 of the intermediate unit C. In this manner as many brush units may be applied as desired. When a proper number of intermediate units have been so applied the endmost unit A is applied with its shoulder 11 in abutting relation with the smaller periphery 15 of the next intermediate unit which is herein indicated at B. A stop plate 25 'is then applied over the threaded portion 5 against the end of the polygonal central portion 3 Yand against the inner annular shoulder 1l of the endmost unit A. The hand nut 24 is then applied to the threaded portion 5 of the shaft and tightened until all of the brush units are suiiiciently tight on the shaft as to allow no play or relative movement. The sprocket 23 is thenapplied to the polygonal end 4 of the shaft 1 and the `sprocket chain (not shown) passed around the sprocket for driving the shaft '1 and its supported brushes.

The shaft 2 is constructed in the same manner as the shaft 1 except that it does not have the sprocket 23. The shaft 2 has a gear 26 in mesh with the Ygear 22 on the shaft 1 and'is secured to the polygonal 'end portion 4 of the shaft 2.

The units A, B, C and D are applied to shaft 2 in the same manner asv described with reference to shaft 1 and when so applied a similar stop plate 25 is'y fastened by means of a hand nut 24 engaging the'threaded portion 6 of the shaft 2.

Vso

1t will be fthus observed that the parallel shafts are provided with a plurality "of brush units arranged in groups so that the brush A on one shaft cooperates with its counterpart A on the second shaft with the intermediate unit B on shaft 1 cooperating with its counterpart B on shaft 2 and so on throughout the extent of the length of the shafts. n'

It will thus be seen that these units A, B, C and D, or as many more as there may be, provide between the brushes of a group a circular space F which is defined by the outer ends of the bristles inthe brushes.` This space F vis less in diameter than the outside diameter of a bottle G to be washed and received in the space between the groups A -A, B-B, C--C and D-D of the brushes.

The rotation of the shaft l by the sprocket 23 is in a direction to cause the rotation of the bristles defining the space F to be downwardly with respect to the plane of the drawing so that a bottle inserted in such space may be properly cleaned by the bristles.

The end brush unit D is not supplied with a row of bristles extending from the larger peripheral portion 14 thereof in a direction beyond this end of the unit.

The bottles G may be held in any manner desired, by hand or otherwise, for insertion into the spaces for cleansing purposes. It is unnecessary to rotate the bottles in the cleansing spaces F as the rotation of the brushes is sufhcient to cornpletely clean or wash the exteriors of such bottles without the necessity of rotating the bottles while undergoing cleansing.

The provision of the arcuately concave surfaces of the brush cores enables the radial disposition of the bristles so that bristles of substantially the same length may be employed, thereby prolonging the eiiiciency of the brush units as it has been found that where bristles of different lengths are employed to secure or provide a bottle 'washing space such as the space F some of the bristles wear faster than the others thus defeating the purpose and eiiiciency of such bottle washing means.

Whenever any of the brush units become ineffective for any purpose, it may be readily removed by removing the sprocket 23 and the hand nut 24 on whichever shaft the defective brush is.

A bottle washing mechanism of the type herein disclosed has been found successful for washing bottles of different diameters Without changing the sizes of the brushes or inserting brushes having bristles of different lengths.

The design of the parts and bristles is such that the space F is in diameter slightly less than the diameter of the smallest bottle which is to be washed as it has been found that by making the bristles in this manner, any bottle up to the maximum diameter of the space dened by the surfaces of the Unit may be successfully and completely cleansed by the brush construction of the present mechanism.

The invention has herein been described more or less precisely as to details, yet it is to be understood that changes may be made in the arrangement and proportion of parts equivalents may be substituted without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

brush units arranged in endwise abutting relal tion to provide a brush row, the endmost brush '3 at one end of the row having ends of substantially the same diameter with inner annular shoulders formed in its end portions, the other brushes of the row having the diameter of the peripheral portions at one end of substantially the same f80 diameter as the diameter of the periphery ofthe ends of said endmost brush and with inner annular shoulders in such'ends, the diameter of the peripheries of the opposite ends of said -other brushes being less than the rst mentioned ends US5 to intert with the shoulders in the larger `ends oi" the adjacent-brushes in the row, and means engaging 'the end brushes'of a row to clamp said brushes together in interfltting operative relation.

2. A brush assembly for bottle washingv purposes comprising a shaft and a plurality of brush units arranged end to end along said shaftin driving relation therewith, every brush unit having an arcuately 'concave surface and open ends, all of said units beinghollow, the diameter of one end of a unit being greater than the diameter of the other end of the unit, the ends of greater diameters having annular shoulders therein, the units being disposedon the shaft with thesmaller end of one unit against and intertting with the shoulder of the larger end'of the next unit, and bristles extending radially from the surfaces of said units.

3. AV brush assembly for Abottle washing pur'- poses comprising a shaft and a plurality of brush units arranged end to end along said shaft in driving relation therewith, every brush unit having an arcuately concave surface and open ends, all of said units being hollow, the diameter of one end of a unit being greater than the diameter of the other end of the unit, the ends of greater diameters having annular shoulders therein, the units being disposed on the shaft with the smaller end of one unit against andinterfitting with the shoulder of the larger end of the next unit, and bristles extending radially from the surfaces-of said units, the larger ends of said units having bristles therein outwardly of the shoulders and extending beyond the smaller ends of the next 1204 units which are against said shoulders.

e. Bottle washing mechanism including in combination, a plurality of brush units arranged in endwise abutting relation in a row, means for holding said brush units in position, every brush consisting of a hollow core having an arcuately concave surface and open ends, the ends of said brushes being of different diameters, the larger ends of said brushes having shoulders therein for receiving the smaller ends of adjacent brushes in the row, bristles in said brushes extending radially from said concave surfaces, said brushes having an annular row of bristles in the larger ends thereof outwardly of the shoulders therein extending over the smaller ends of the adjacent 135 brushes for completing the complement of bristles in such adjacent brushes, the bristles being arranged in said brushes with-one less series of bristles nearer the smaller diameter of the brushes than the larger ends thereof, the means'140 for holding the brushes in position including a shaft extending through said brushes in driving relation with the saine.

5. A sectional brush comprising a plurality of units arranged end to end along a shaft, every A145 unit having an arcuately concave surface and open ends, the units being hollow, the diameter at one end of a unit being greater than the diams eter at the other end, the end of greater ,diameter having an `annular shoulder therein toreceive15'0 the smaller end of an adjacent unit when the units are assembled in endwise or axial arrangement, every unit having a web in its interior which is apertured to conform to the shaft contour for driving a unit by the shaft, the unit ends of v greater-diameter having bristles in the outer surfacesof said ends outwardly of the shoulders Yextending substantially axially from said ends.

f6. Bottle washing mechanism including in combination, a plurality of brushes arranged in endwise abutting relation in a row, the brush ends being of different diameters, means for holding said brushes in position with the smaller end of one brush against the larger end of an adjacent brush, every brush consisting of a body having a concave surface, bristles in said bodies extending normally from said surfaces, the larger end of a brush having bristles therein overlying the smaller end` of anfadjacent brush and extending towards the bristles of said adjacent brush for completing the complement of bristles in such adjacent brush.

7. Bottle washing mechanism including in combination, a plurality of brush units arranged in endwise abutting relation in a row, means for holding said brush units in position, every brush consisting of a body having a substantially concaved surface, the ends of said brushes being of different diameters, the larger ends of said brushes having shoulders therein for receiving the smaller ends of adjacent brushes in the row, bristles in said-brushes extending normally to said concaved surfaces, said brushes having an annular row of bristles in the larger ends thereof outwardly of the shoulders therein extending over the smaller ends of the adjacent brushes for completing the complement of bristles in such adjacent brushes, the bristles being arranged in said brushes with one less series of bristles nearer the smaller diameters of the brushes than the larger ends thereof, the means for holding the brushes in positionincluding a shaft extending through the brushes in driving relation with the same. and means for rotating said shaft.

8. A brush assembly for bottle washing purposes comprising a shaft and a plurality of brush units arranged en-d to end along said shaft in driving relation therewith, every brush unit having a concaved surface, the diameter of one end of a unit being greater than the diameter of the opposite end of the unit, the ends of Vreater diameters having annular shoulders therein, the units being disposed on the shaft, with the smaller end of one unit against and interfitting with the shoulder of the larger end-of the next unit, and bristles extending normally from the surfaces of said units.

ROBERT J. WYNNE. PAUL H. MEYER. 

